Curtain or panel and hanger structure therefor



Nov. 23, 194s.`

c. G. CUNNINGHAM 2,454,434

CURTAIN OR PANEL AND HANGER STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Deo. 15, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 23, l1948; C, G, 'CQNMNGHAM I 2,454,434

CURTAIN o PANEL AND HANGER STRUTURE THEREFOR Filed Dee. 13.1944 'r sheets-sheet 2 I I 67 .-752 eze-*5020:

/ Car/gs @Zufllig/2a,

Nov. 23, 1948. c. @CUNNINGHAM CURTAIN on PANEL Am) HANGER STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Dec. 15, 1944 Nov. 23, 1948. vc. G. cuNNlNl-QAM i URTAIN on PANEL AND HANGER STRUCTURE THEREFOR, med Dec. .13, 1944 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 y |l Il Nov. 23,` 1948. c. G. CUNNINGHAM 4 CURTAIN OR PANEL AND HANGER STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Dec. 13, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet ,5

ily/Pan Nov. 23, 1948. c. G. CUNNINGHAM 2,454,434

I CURTAIN 0R PANEL AND HANGER STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Deo. 15, 1944 4 7 sheets-sheet e Nov. 23, 1948.

Filed Dec. 15, l1944 c. G. CUNNINGHAM l 2,454,434

CURTAIN ORPANEL AND HANGER STRUC'URE THEREFOR I 7 Shees-Sheezt '7 Patented Nov. 23, 41948 "OFFICE otJit'iAlr` oafrANEL AND HANGER l .sTRUo'rURE 'rnEREFoR '1 Charles G." (5miniingham,r Ghicagoi iii. a Appl'cationecember 13, 1944, Serial No.- 567,966

This invention relates to improvements in. adjustable devices adaptedstoact as screensltoprevent escape oi dusts or of `sprayed orsplashin liquids, from a space or room or alcove inwhioh the dusts or liquidsA are to be' confined. "The invention also provides a hanger structure for curtains or drapes or screens. n L

The invention additional-ly provides a new kind oi' curtain or screen or panel adapted for-,use for lessening industrial acciclentsresulting from flying particles, or dustrr or splashing or sprayed liquids. so mounted as to be easily moved` to various prof tecting positions and are madcofy tough, strong, acid-resistant plastic or nonmetallicr materials, and can have any desiredcolor orornamentation.

A plastic which I believe particularly well adapted for making the screens or curtains herein is a new thermoplastic material known under the trade name Saran This material can be molded by injection,` compression v or extrusion Itis relatively cheap, is hard and toughand has a softening point of about-350. This sub-w methods.

stance is resistant to most inorganic chemicals and to organic solvents generally.l Atroorn temperatures it is very inert to all common acids and 1101 alkalis, with the exceptionoi strong ammonium' hydroxide.- or long immersion and completely resistant to moisture Vapor transmission. It is noriinarnI mable, resists heat, warping and distortion at relatively high temperatures. Other plasticsrthat can be used are Bakelite, Lucite,P1exiglass, Beetle, Saran Plaskon,` Tenita, Crystalite, Vinylite and Koroseal. V

The invention is particularly valuable foruse' as a shower bath curtain in lieu of the'woven` fabric or Cellophane curtains now in use,I andthe ind vention provides means whereby asingle or a3.

plurality of curtains or screens may be attached to any support orto' the ordi-naryshower curtain poleor rod to be adjusted in various directions.

My inventiondoes away with the use of rings or hooks or rollers. Each curtain is provided vwith marginal means by which a sealing relation bef tween it and another curtain or between it` and.

a tub, or the floor, or the wall or walls,A can be obtained.

Objects of the in the present woven fabric curtains; toprovide. a curtain which will not fade or 1nlldewwhichV The stift". screens of this invention are` It isk completely resistant towatei invention are; to `providey an.l entirely new curtainor screen; toprovideja new` 17 claims. (o1. 16o-'40) is not 'so usm' and flimsy that it can' be blown about by drafts to stick to the body of a bathr, orto permit water to spray or pass outwardly; to provide a curtain made of separable sections, which can be sold in knock-down form., and be assembledby the user;` to provide a curtain which is sanitary` and long-lived; to provide a curtain made of plastic moldable material and which can be colored to match the bath room decoration;A to provide a semirigid yety somewhat pliable curtain mounted to he adjusted with less eiort than is required for curtains made of woven material; to malte the curtain or panel of stainless and noncorrosive material, and to make it of oil cloth or linoleu-m or other waterproof substance which can be easily and readily cleaned and sterilized;- to provide an arrangement oi a curtain or oi curtains by which it or they can be easily positioned; which can be easily adjusted for convenience in cleaninga bath tub and the shower chamber or which can be easily andV quickly arranged to confine the spray while adjusting the water valves ior temperature; to provide a novel iorm` of hanger which can be used `for hanging curtains at windows or doors and which is `adjustable to raise or lower the curtain or drape, and forV moving the curtain or drape nearer to or farther from the window; door .or wall; to `provide al type of panel-'formed unit,` the elements' of which are adapted to be held in operative relation by means which inter-1 locks the margins of a plurality oi the panels or sections; to provide iiexible-and resilient sealing meansl for inter-curtain engagement and for erigagementwith the walls, tub or floors; to provide a type of curtain to which water will not cling to create unsanitary condition or cause' odors due to dampness; to .provide a structure which is easy to assemble and easy to hang; to provide means by whichl curtain-4 or panelsupporting elements cari be attached either to an' ordinary shower curtainV or other rod, or to two vertically placed rods which extend from tub to-ceiling or from floor to ceiling; to provide ainew extensible rod structure which can be frictional-ly or pressure-held' between the tub and ceiling or the floor and the ceiling; and toI provide a unitfknock-down structure for sup: porting and adjusting curtainsand drapes of any kind.l

Features of the invention include all details of construction shown, along with the broader" ideas' of ,means inherent in the disclosure. Features, objects and advantagesl of the invention will be set forthin al description of said drawings, and inV said-drawings-e Fig.- lfi'sa front elevation" showing myinv'en 3 tion in relation to a bath tub alcove and bath tub, with the parts in sealing position;

Fig. 2 is a plan taken at the level of line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view taken approximately at the level of line 3 3 of Fig. 1, with the hangers of the tracks omitted, and with the tops of the panels shown in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical detail section taken approximately on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 to show the relation of the verticaland horizontal sealing elements respectively to the wall and to the top surface of the tub; v

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one of the panels shown in Fig. 3 showing thev relation of the sealing element to the wall; A

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail perspective of one of the ilexible and resilient sealing elements;

Fig. 7 is a iront elevation partly in section showing the hanger construction and means for attaching and adjusting it;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. '1, with one of the curtains connected with one of the hanger slides;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section showing the hangerl b-rackets at one extreme of adjustment;

FigplO is a view illustrating the relation of a curtain to a hanger and of the hanger to the tracks;

Fig. 11 is a detail outer face view of one of the sections of which the curtain or panel is formed;

Fig. 12 isa top plan view of Fig. 11;

'F.ig. 13 is a view looking at the right end of Fig. 11;

Fig. -14 is a detail section at the top of the panel, taken on line Ill-I4 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a section at the bottom of the panel taken on line I5-I5 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a detail section taken on line I6--IE of Fig. 11 showing the section through an ornamentation and stifiening bead;

Fig. 1'7 illustrates how my invention may be applied to two upright rods instead of to a single horizontal rod, and illustrates a novel form of, adjustable upright rod;

Fig. 18 i-s a plan section on line I8-I8 of Fig. 17 with the covering casing omitted;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 illustrate the action of the sealing members when the curtains are slid past one another to iinally assume, for example, the approximate positions of Figs. 1 and 3.

The following description is illustrative of my invention, a-s applied to a bath alcove and as attached to the ordinary shower-curtain rod or bar, or to a pair of vertical bars.

Referring first to Fig. l. The numeral I generally indicates a shower bath alcove having a tub 2 therein. The shower nozzle is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and is indicated by the numeral 3 and the usual water valve operating elements are indicated at 4.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The usual shower curtain rod is indicated at III. On'thi-s rod are attached two track-supporting and adjusting devices, generally indicated II and of identical construction so that the parts are interchangeable. Each device I I receives one end of the track, which track therefore bridges the devices. Each structure II' includes a circular disk I4 having a second circular and flanged disk I5 rotatable therein on a center eccentric to the center of the disk I4. Thi-s second disk has an opening I 6 which receives the shower curtain rod I ll, and this opening is eccentric to the center of the disk I5 and this disk I5 is divided into two parts along a line I'I which passes through the opening I6. The parts of this disk I5 are flanged at both ends as at I9 (see Fig. 7) to prevent axial movement of its parts in the disk I4.

A third or hanger or track-carrying disk 20 is rotatable in an opening 30 of disk I4 and has an opening 2| which in this instance is rectangular and which receives the end portions of a series of tracks 22 (in this instance four) spaced apart by spacer elements 24 to provide Ways 23, in each of which slides a hanger 25. There are three of these hangers .25. Through a dia- `metricvally placed opening in the third disk 2U and through openings in these tracks and spacer I elements passes a pin 29 which releasably se cures the parts against detachment. Movement of the pin is prevented by the Wall of the opening 30 of the disk I4, in which opening the third disk 20 rotates freely. This is shown in Fig. 8.L 'I'he disk 2l) has a ange 3I, only at the inner side, to prevent axialy motion.

The rst disk I'4 is formed in two parts which are hinged together as at 32 and there is means generally indicated at 33 for forcing the parts together'to cause the parts of the second disk I5 to clamp the rod Ill as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This clamping mean-s in -this instance includes a wing nut threaded Ion an ey'e bolt, pivoted to the upper section of the disk I4, the bolt being received as shown, in slots 35 of the upper and lower sections of the disk I4. The disk I5 is provided ywith a handle 36 which extends inwardly as shown in Fig-s.r 7 and 9 by which to rotate it to raise and lower the disk I4, or hold the disk I5 stationary lwhile the disk I4 is adjusted about the disk I 5. After adjustment the parts may be clamped as shown. Comparison of Figs. 8 and9 show-s that there is a relatively large range of adjustment. The diskr I4 or the disk I5 may be adjusted inv either direction from the position shown in Fig. 8, but during adjustment the hangers 25 remain in vertical position, because of the rotatability of disk 2U in disk I4.

A very largenumber of separate angularly adjusted positions for disks I4 and I5 may be had in relation to the vertical and in relation to each other. In Fig. 9 both disks have been swung through an angle of 90" from their normal positions in Figs. 8 and 1'7. In Fig. 9 dot-and-dash line positions of'disks I4 and 20 have been indicated to show how disk I4 can be adjusted about disk I5 after disk I 5 has been adjusted to a 90 position. In Fig. 17 dot-and-dash line positions of the disks I4 and 2i) have been indicated to show how the disk I4 can be adjusted about disk I5 while the latter remains in its normal position. Disk I4 can be vertically Iadjusted by swinging disk VI5 by means of its handle 36 and after the disk ordisks have been adjusted, the whole assembly may be clamped to the rod or bar. It is noted that this device provides means not only for adjusting vertically for causing the bottoni of the curtain to have some fdesired relation to a surface, but can also adjust inwardly and outwardly from an upright surface to space the curtain at some predetermined 'distance in relation toa surface orto a-Window or to a door.

Finishing covers (see Figs. 7 and 8) are provided for the disks I4 and vrod II). The cylindri cal clasings 38 t over the disks I4 and extend to the wall. A casing 39'ts over the casings 38 as shown. V Thus, the casingstructure is continuous from' wall to wall. The casing or cover 39 is open at the lower side as at 40 to allow for movement andclearance of the hangers. The casings grimaces.v i

or covers f3s are open as at Il, to clear braces 42 and to allow the casings 38 to be clipped over the devices Il. Thus, neither casing 38 or 39 is a complete cylinder.

By reference to Fig. 7 it will be noted that the bead 50 of each hangerextends some distance beyond the upper part of the hanger, to allow the sealing elements, later described in detail, to engage the wall before the upper part of the hanger abuts the inner surface of one of the disks I4.

A pair of braces 42 are provided, which are suitably clamped as at l43 to the rod lli and which are secured at their outer ends to the wall, to keep the rod from rotating in its wall supports under the weight of the assembly when the hanger disks are adjusted, for example, as in Fie. 9. Under these conditions there is .considec able leverage applied tending to rotate the bar l0. The plastic material of which the curtains are made is very light in Weight so that leverage is not excessive. However, when curtains of greater weight are to be hung the elements 42 may be needed.

The hanger structure, including the tracks 22, hangers 25, spacers 24 and pin 29, is believed to be new per se as a structure for 'slidably mounting curtains, which is very cheap to manufacture and very efficient. The tracks are made of bronze and the hangers of steel. Referring to Figs. 9 and 8, it will be seen the each hanger 25 slides between two rails 22. The top of each hanger has four horizontally bent elements 45 arranged in pairs at or near each opposite end. The elements 45 of each pair are bent in opposite direce tions, one slidably engaging the upper surface of one of the tracks 22 and the other slidably engaging the` upper surface of the other track of the pair. The area of engagment is made relatively small to reduce friction to a minimum and yet retain strength. Each hanger has two cross-pins 46 positioned below the tracks 22 as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 to prevent upward movement of the hangers or rocking movements thereof. The spacing between the upper surface of the pin 46 and the lower surface of the tracks 22 is suoli as to allow for free sliding motion, with no binding.

The lower margin of each hanger has attached thereto, as by brazing, a cylindrical bead 50 which is adapted to be slidably received by a slotted marginal tubular element provided at 'the top of each panel section 52, see also Fig, 11

In Fig. 8 only one of the panel sections 52 has been shown attached to a hanger. In Figs. 1 and 9 curtains or panels are shown as made of a plurality of detachably interlocking sections.

Now referring to Figs. 10 and 11. Each sec-4 tion 52 is provided with the cylindrical tubular member 5| along its top margin. The top of this tubular element has a slot extending its full length as indicated at 53. The bottom of each panel section `52 is provided with a cylindrical bead 55. At each opposite vertical edge each section is provided also with a terminal cylindrical bead 56. The beads 5D, 55 and 5B are of substantially the same outer diameter which is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the slotted tubular bead 5I. Thus, any tubular slotted member 5l can be attached to a bead 50 or to a bead 55 and any sealing member, now to be described, can be attached to any bead or cylinder 50, 55, or 56. This is a feature of the invention.

The body portion of the section may be less than one-eighth of an inch thick, and the body portion of .each hanger is about the same thickness. The sections are reenforced by elements which also act in an ornamental capacity. These elements are indicated at 58. Any suitable ornamentation may be provided on the front of the section, but the back is preferably smooth.

A very important feature of my invention is the means for sealing against dust, or flying particles, orliquid leakage. This means com prises an element usable either as a sealing element, or as a sealing and a locking element. It can be used on a single one-piece panel or curtain, or on a plural-piece panel or curtain. Where the curtain is made up of a plurality of detach able sections, the element is used both for' lock ing the sections against accidental disconnection and for sealing. This element is generally designated 6U and can be made of any suitable shape. It is made of resilient and flexible material such as rubber. It is so made that when forcibly moved from anrinitial position it 'will automati-A cally again assume that position when the force ceases to act. It has a flange-like extension or sealing portion 6l preferably tapered as shown,`

and has a locking and attaching portion generally designated 62. The locking portion has the form of a slotted cylinder, the slot of which is indicated at 63. The cylindrical structure really provides what may be called two flexible tapered fingers which are designated 64 and this structure permits the device 60 to be connected with one or with a plurality of aligned beads 5S, or with a bead 55 in the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 9. When attached to the bottom of the curtain as in Fig. 4 it extends beyond the end of the bead 55 to abut the wall as shown. The fingers G4 allow the element 60 to be clipped over a bead by movement in a direction perpendicular to the long dimension. The element 6B can of course be attached to a bead or beads by lengthwise sliding motion.

Because of the flexibility and resiliency these elements 60 can act as shown in Figs, 19 and 2() to pass one another when the pendent panels 52 are adjusted by linear movement, and it is a featil're of these elements that they normally occupy an angular position. This angle may be about 30d, see Fig. 20. The tip 66 may touch a line 68 which makes an angle of about 30ci with the plane of motion of the panel. It will be noted in Figs. 19 to 2l that the element 60, after being deformed during adjustment of the panels, always again as sumes'an initial position which assures `sealing contact with one of the other panels or with a wall or tub or floor, after the panels have been adjusted to their final positions. The angular position may be varied.

Thus, each sealing element 60 is resilient and flexible so that it can yield when engaged by another sealing element as the curtains are slid. It is seen that after one of the extensions engages another extension as shown in Fig, 19, both may be flexed but each resumes its normal or initial outstanding position as soon as the flexing force ceases. y

Fig. 10 shows a plurality of panel sections 52 interlocked and held against accidental unlocking by means or sealing and locking elements 60. In this figure large portions of each panel section arc broken away, so that the figure is somewhat diagrarmnatic-` Nevertheless, the principle of the formation of the curtain :by sections and of Icicley ing of these sections is illustrated.

and with sealing members An advantage of making the curtain in sections is that any section can be replaced and any number of sections can be combined to make a curtain of the proper length or width. Each curtain is independently supported and can therefore be moved independently to any desired position longitudinally. The sections of the curtain can be assembled at the factory bysliding one Within the other and the sections can then be secured against accidental disconnection by a combined locking and sealing member which can be clipped on.

It `has been stated that the sealing members assume an angular relation to the direction of movement of the sheet and therefore to the surface of greatest area of the sheet. The angle that the sealing member makes with this surface is preferably not greater than 45 but may ibe somewhat less than that. This angle will vary conformably to transverse spacing between the curtains, as slidably hung on the tracks.

The overall thickness of each curtain, including the slotted tubular marginal element at the top, can be three-eighths f an inch or less. Thus, the overall transverse dimension of a plurality of curtains as hung can be, allowing for slight spacing between the curtains, about an inch and a half. The spacing between two tracks may be about one-eighth of an inch. Each track may be about five-sixteenths of an inch thick. There is no limitation of principle intended by the giving of these measurements. They are given to show how compact in transverse dimension the three curtains, as hung, can be. Each curtain may be made in one piece or panel, but each is preferably constituted by superposed sections detachably connected edge-to-edge. I believe it is entirely new to make shower curtains, of stiff material, that is of nonwoven stiff material, and also new to make the curtains of detachable sections of stiff material, of different vertical heights, so that curtains of different lengths may be had.

Another feature, in addition to the use of stiff curtain or panel sections of plastic material, is that the sections can be put up in sets or can be sold separately on order and in proper dimensions to provide any desired length or width of curtain or panel. Although I have found that a section about 21 inches in horizontal length by about 12 inches invertical dimension is a good average size, yet some sections can have a vertical dimension of 3 or 6 or 9 inches, and of course the long dimensions would be varied conformably to the number of curtains used, which in turn must conform to the horizontal dimension of the area to be protected.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means by which a knock-down curtain assembly can be provided, and can be attached to vertical rods, which may extend from iioor or ceiling or from the top of the tub to the ceiling, one at each end of the space to beprotected, and near opposite walls of the space.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18. The lower section 'l0 of each tube has inserted in it at the top a flanged bushing 'H provided interiorally with threads and solidly attached within the tube as by press fit, to prevent turning. The upper section or tube 13 is shorter than the lower section 70 and has inserted within at its bottom portion a jack screw 'I4 which is solidly anchored by means of a suitable pin 75. This screw engages the threads of the bushing ll. There is an opening 16 provided in the head portion 11 of the screw and the tube 13 for theinsertion of vfunction when the curtain is in use.

tool by which to forcibly turn the screw and thus expand or lengthen the tubes so that the vacuum cups 8U at the opposite ends are pressed respectively against the ceiling and the tub or against the ceiling and the floor. A slipsleeve 8|, conceals the screw 14, pin 15 and opening 16. This provides a very satisfactory anchor for the tubes or rods, in an upright position. After clamping the tubes the slip sleeve 8l is dropped to the position shown. All metal parts are made of noncorrosive material.

I believe it entirely new to make a bath curtain of stiff or rigid material and to provide flexible marginal sealing elements on it, and also the rst to make those elements detachable. I also believe myself the iii-st to provide any curtain or screen made of interlocking elements which are held in interlocked relation by means of marginal iiexible elements which perform a sealing I also believe myself the rst to provide a structure for hanging curtains so that they can slide, and which structure can be applied to any suitable support or to the ordinary shower curtain rod or bar, and be easily adjustable for vertical heights or horizontal spacing..

What I claim is: l

l. A device of the class described comprising, a support, three panels of stiff material pendently and slidably mounted on the support to be moved to overlapped positions, each panel having upright marginal extensions 'of flexible and resilient material some of which are adapted to sealingly engage the face of another panel and some to engage a wall, each panel also having along its bottom margin a similar sealing extension adapted to sealingly engage a surface which is below the panels.

2. A device of the class described comprising, track means, two panels each composed of a plurality of detachable sections of stiff material and slidably suspended from said track means to be moved therealong to overlapped positions, each panel having upright marginal extensions of iiexible and resilient material which interlock with and secure the sections in relative position, some of said extensions adapted to sealingly engage the face of another panel and some to engage a wall, each panel also having along the bottom margin of its bottonnnost section a similar extension adapted to sealingly engage a surface which isvbelow the panels.

3. A device of the class described comprising, a panel composed of a plurality of detachable sections of stiff material, said panel having upright marginal extensions of iiexible and resili-ent material which interlock with and secure the sections in relative position, said extensions being varranged at an angle with the faces of greatest area of the panel to sealingly engage the face of another panel, said panel also having along its bottom margin a, similar extension adapted to sealingly engage a surface which is below the panels.

,4. A device adapted to act as a screen against the escape of liquid droplets and splashings including, a support device adapted for attachment to another support, a plurality of curtains slidable on the support device and adapted to assume overlapping and screening' relation, said curtains being of relatively stiff plastic material and each having flexible and resilient marginal extensions adapted to sealingly contact other curtains and to sealingly contact and conform to the configuration of other surfaces which T9 form a rameior the space fromwhich the escape of liquid is to be prevented.

5.- A curtain composed-*of Va plurality of detachably connected sectionsl of relatively still material and interiitting sealing members of flexible and resilientl materialmounted on and deta-chably connecting together opposite edges of said sections and acting as marginal locks to prevent accidental disconnection of said sections. 4

6. A shower bath curtain composed of avplurality of detachably connected sections ofrelatively stiff material andmembers of flexible material respectively detachably intertting parts of the sections and acting as' marginal locks to prevent accidental disconnection of `said lsections, each section being removably connected to the next section by relative sliding motion and the said flexible member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said sliding motion and itself beingdisconnectable by motion perpendicular to itslong dimension.

7. A shower bath curtain composed of a plurality oi detachably connected sections of relatively stifl material and two members of flexible material at opposite edges of said curtain and each detachably interfitting the outer edge of all sections along the respective curtain edges and acting as a finishing piece and as a marginal lock to prevent accidental disconnection of said sections, and a third member of ilexible material as a terminal member of the curtain and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the other members, each member having a slanting extension arranged at an angle to the faces of greatest area of said sections.

8. A device of the class described comprising, track means, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a different plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the track means, each panel having means to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels, and each having sealing means adapted to engage a surface which is below said panels.

9. A device of the class described comprising, a plurality of tracks adapted to be suitably supported between two upright surfaces, a plurality of panels each supported in a diiferent plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the tracks, the top portion of each panel extendingbetween two of the tracks and having two supporting means engaging each of two of the tracks to move therealong, each panel having means to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for al1 positions of the panels, and each having sealing. means adapted to engage a surface which is below the panels.

l0. A device of the class described comprising, track means, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a different vertical plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the track means, each panel having a ilexible element on each upright margin extending therebeyond in direction of motion of the panels and adapted to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels, and a flexible element on the bottom of each panel of ar length greater than the length of the bottom of the panel but less than the length of a panel plus the dimension of both upright sealing elements in direction of motion.

11. A device of the class described comprising, a plurality of tracks adapted to be suitably supported between two upright surfaces, a plurality v10 of panels eachV supported in a different' plane` for separatersliding motion lengthwise of the tracks, the top portion of each panel extending between two of the'tracks and having two supporting means engaging each of two of the tracks to move therealong, each panel having a flexible element on each upright margin and extending therebeyond in direction of motion of the 'panel `and adapted to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels, and each panel having a ilexible element on its bottom of a length greater than the length of the bottom of the panel but less than the length of the panel plus the dimension of both upright sealing elements in direction of motion.

12. A device of the class described comprising, track means, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a different vertical plane for separate slidingmotion lengthwise of the track means, each panel having a flexible element on each upright margin extending therebeyond in direction of motion of the panels and adapted to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels, a flexible element on the bottom of each-panel of a length greater than the length of the bottom of the panel but less than the length of a panel plus the dimension of both upright sealing elements in direction oi motion, each panel being composed of a plurality of separate sections detachably interlocked so as to swing about a horizontal point oi interlocking and said upright sealing elements acting as locks to prevent accidental detachment of the interlocked sections.

13. A device of the class described comprising, a bar adapted to be supported between two upright surfaces, track means and means by which it can be swung about said bar, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a diiierent vertical plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the track means, each panel having a flexible element on each upright margin extending therebeyond in direction of motion oi the panels and adapted to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels, and al ilexible lelement on the bottom of each panel of a length greater than the length of the bottom of the panel but less than the length of a panel plus the dimension of both upright sealing elements in direction of motion.

14. A device of the class described comprising, a bar adapted to be supported between two upright surfaces, plural means each swingable about the bar, track means supported by said swingable means for rotation about the bar, a

` plurality of panels, and means supporting each panel in a different vertical plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the track means.

15. A device of the class described comprising, track means, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a different plane for separate sliding motions lengthwise of the track means, each panel having projecting means to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions of the panels and each panel having sealing means on the bottom adapted to engage a surface below said panels.

16. A device of the class described comprising, a bar adapted to be supported between two upright surfaces, plural means each swingable about the bar, track means supported by said swingable means for rotation about the bar, a plurality of panels, means supporting each panel in a different vertical plane for separate sliding motion lengthwise of the track means, each panel having upright marginal means to sealingly engage the face of an adjacent panel for all positions'of the panels, and each panel having sealing means on its bottom adapted to engage a surfacewhich is below the panel, the said track-supporting means which is swingable about the bar facilitating swinging of said panels in a direction transverse to their direction of lengthwise motion.

17. A device of the class described comprising, a bar adapted to be supported between two upright surfaces, plural means each adjustably swingable about the bar as an axis, releasable means for securing said swingable means in amr adjusted position, a support bridging and rotatable in said swingable means, and panel means pendently supported by and movable lengthwise of said rotatable support.

CHARLES G. CUNNINGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hovagimian Apr. 16, 1912 Van Sickle Feb. 18, 1913 Shorkey July 1, 1913 Larson Feb. 17, 1914 Dow May 23, 1916 Watson Oct. 2, 1917 Gross June 29, 1920 Fitchet Nov. 14, 1922 Seaman July,7 31, 1923 l Green June 10, 1924 Abrott Mar. 17, 1925 Friend Mar. 17, 1925 Deming Nov. 13, 1928 Nicholson Nov. 18, 1930 Klaudt Mar. 20, 1934 Mims July 5, 1938 Jones Nov. 14, 1939 Kahler Nov. 19, 1940 Zechiel Oct. 12, 1943 

